







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, the packet is ripped, but it's not overdue. | |
| I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | |
| Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | |
| Is it really on the menu? | |
| They're there, under the duvet. | |
| How is your cat? | |
| What's wrong with him? | |
| Yeah, do you mean tricycles? | |
| You know some people don't like putting their ad on the internet. | |
| Don't worry, I don't like having a very heavy breakfast. | |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | |
| He just moved from Brighton and lives around here. | |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | |
| Who is Mike, darling? | |
| The packets have 2 pieces in them. | |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | |